Facts about Grace Coolidge: Fact Sheet of Grace Coolidge Facts and Info: This fast fact sheet provides important information about Grace Coolidge, First Lady of the United States of America. Facts about Grace Coolidge: Fast Overview of Events in the White House Facts and Info: Grace Coolidge assumed the position of First Lady to President Calvin Coolidge. She witnessed the important events of his presidency that included the Kellogg-Briand Pact that renounced war as a solution to resolving international differences. At home it was a period of economic prosperity, the "Coolidge Prosperity", and the President ignored signs that the stock market was likely to collapse. Personality and Character: Grace Coolidge Quotes Facts and Info: An insight into the personal views, character and personality of this First Lady may be obtained from the following Grace Coolidge quotes: "I am just a lost soul. Nobody is going to believe how I miss being told what to do. My father always told me what I had to do. Then Calvin told me what I had to do." "There was a sense of detachment – this was I and yet not I, this was the wife of the President of the United States and she took precedence over me; my personal likes and dislikes must be subordinated to the consideration of those things which were required of her." Facts about Grace Coolidge: Her Nickname or Pet Name "Sunshine" Facts and Info: Grace Coolidge was known by the nickname "Sunshine" due to her genial, compliant personality. The nickname may also have resulted from her enthusiasm to add a third floor to the White House where a “sky parlour” or sunroom was built. Facts about Grace Coolidge: First Events Facts and Info: She was the 1st First Lady to use sign language. Facts about the Causes and Accomplishments of Grace Coolidge Facts and Info: First Ladies are not elected so have no official role. Their accomplishments are therefore based on their own particular wishes that ranged from political interests, humanitarian and charitable causes or duties relating to their family or social responsibilities. The causes and accomplishments of Grace Coolidge were demonstrated in her support of child welfare and education of deaf children. Facts about Grace Coolidge: The Early Life of Grace Coolidge Facts and Info: Grace Coolidge was born on on January 3, 1879 in Burlington, Vermont and named Grace Anna Goodhue. Her parents were Andrew Issachar Goodhue and Lemira Barrett Goodhue. Her father was a a mechanical engineer and a steamboat inspector. Grace was well educated worked at the University of Vermont as a teacher and then taught at the Clark School for the Deaf in Northhampton, Massachusetts. She met Calvin Coolidge at church and despite her mother's vehement disapproval of Calvin, the couple were married on October 4, 1905. Grace Coolidge was a sociable woman and her outgoing personality help the quiet Calvin on social occasions. Grace Coolidge was a close friend of Helen Keller, the deaf and blind American author and political activist. Calvin and Grace Coolidge had 2 children, John and Calvin Jnr. All of the Coolidge family were able to use sign language and Calvin and Grace Coolidge found this useful when they did not wish to be overheard. Grace Coolidge was deterred from any involvement politics by his terse, laconic remark, "Better not...". Facts about Grace Coolidge: Life at the White House Facts and Info: Calvin Coolidge was elected President of the United States and Grace Coolidge assumed the role as First Lady on August 2, 1923, following the sudden death of President Warren Harding. Calvin was a stern man who had made it made it very clear that he had no interest in Grace's political opinions, and she had learned to offer none. The President made many of the decisions that were usually made by the First Lady. Despite her husband's restrictive and controlling nature, Grace Coolidge became a popular First Lady with the public. Grace was fashionable, charming, kind and had a love of animals and sports. She also had a deep concern for the welfare of children, especially deaf children. Tragedy struck Calvin and Grace Coolidge when their son Calvin Jnr. died after a blister on his foot developed into blood poisoning. The nation mourned with the family and Grace Coolidge sought distraction from her loss by becoming involved with structural improvements and refurbishment of the White House that included the addition of a third floor and a 'sky parlour' sunroom. The presidency ended on March 4, 1929 and Calvin and Grace Coolidge moved back to Northampton. Calvin Coolidge died on January 5, 1933. Grace died of heart disease on July 8, 1957 in Northampton, Massachusetts and was buried beside her husband and son at the Plymouth Notch Cemetery in Plymouth, Vermont. |